It's hard
to believe that summer is nearly over. Soon the sounds of cadence will
resonate across The Citadel campus, a sign that the cadets have returned
and another academic year is under way on the banks of the Ashley River.

Military
training began in early August for freshmen athletes who are expected
to become militarily proficient before they begin athletic practices.

On Saturday
more than 600 freshmen are expected to report for academic orientation
and military training. That's just a fraction of the record 2,057 young
men and women who sought
admission this year to the Class of 2006 at The Military College of South
Carolina.

"The educational
environment we provide continues to be in high demand," said John Powell,
director of admissions. "At one point, we had a waiting list of more than
250 applicants for this class. Already
we have more than 300 applications and 11,000 prospects for the Class
of 2007."

The Class
of 2006, which will make up about one-third of the total Corps of Cadets,
is a diverse group, Citadel
President Maj. Gen. John S. Grinalds told reporters at a press conference
on Friday.

There
are about 567 men and 50 women (8 percent) from 41 states and 15 foreign
countries.

South
Carolina residents total 269 students or 44 percent of the freshman
class, while there are 345, or 56 percent, from out of state.

Minorities
make up 16 percent of the freshman class, with 8 percent being African
American.

Academically,
the freshmen class has an average SAT score of 1074 and a high school
GPA of 3.2.

"We're very
pleased that The Citadel is fully enrolled and had a record application
year," Grinalds said. "We are equally thrilled with the caliber of students
arriving on campus. They are a diverse and academically outstanding group
of young men and women who will be challenged physically, mentally and
academically to reach their highest potential."

Leading
the Corps of Cadets this year is equally diverse group of men and women.
They are:

Regimental
Commander Richard Neikirk of New Wilmington, Pa.

Regimental
Executive Officer Ashley A. Garry of Clover, S.C.

First
Battalion Commander Amanda Orson of Towaco, N.J.

Second
Battalion Commander Justin Tobias of Virginia Beach, Va.

Third
Battalion Commander Damasio Davila of San Antonio, Texas

Fourth
Battalion Commander Adam Burch of Saratoga, N.Y.

Cadet
Colonel
Richard Neikirk

Cadet officers
have been on campus since early August and for the last week cadre has
been preparing for the arrival of the knobs. Academic orientation takes
place this weekend, followed by the start of military training on Monday,
Aug. 19.

Athletic
cadre has been on campus since July 29 working with more than 100 athletes
who will take part in Bulldog sports this year. Among the freshman athletes
are 49 football players, 14 women's soccer players, nine men's soccer
players, six volleyball players, six men's cross country athletes, six
managers, five women's cross country athletes, four trainers and two cheerleaders.

At 6 p.m.
Monday, the freshmen will be sworn in as members of the South Carolina
Corps of Cadets on Summerall Field. Upperclassmen return Aug. 25 and classes
begin Aug. 28.